Empirer and the Early Church Flashcards
What two families did emperors come from after Augustus?
The Julius or Claudii
Who were the Flavians
Vespasian, Titus and Domitian who wanted to be Gods and restored some ordered to Rome.
V-Reformed public finances; new taxes (public bathroom tax)
T-helped Pompeii financially after disaster
D-avoided wars of aggression, managed trade and tax, liked by pleibians
(Assassinated)
What were three things that came out of Rome at this time
Uniform currency, massive road systems, protection of army
Who made up legions
Firstly by Roman citizens but then later people who wanted citizenship. 25 years of service= citizen
Barbarians
Members of tribes in Scandinavia, Germanic area and eat who didn’t eat, dress and bathe in Roman way
What was the purpose of taking census’s
Be able to know how many people to tax and how much to tax based on the quality of their land.
How did the plague start in Rome
In 161 CE the Parthians (rulers of Persia) attacked Roman ruled Armenia and Syria. They were driven out but the returning soldiers brought a plague back killing 10% of pop.
King Herod
Built a new city on coSt with aqueduct, forum and amphitheater.
-supported Jewish religion and rebuilt second temple
-
Sadduces
wealthy small group that saw bible as sole religious authority
- no human had right to interpret bible
- sacrifices were very important
Pharisees
More numerous and influential.
- saw Jews as single people of God
- made sure food was pure
- interpreted how the bible meant to purify food
Essenes
Developed codes of diet stricter than Pharisees
- only had veggies
- no sex
- if someone couldn’t follow their rules they were kicked out
Sicariots
Assassins who a carried daggers and zealots took military political positions
Hellenists
Jews who spoke and worshiped in Greek
Jesus
- Bethlehem
- disciples
- no divorce, no violence, follow him!
- executed by crucifixion
Saul
1st century CE, Saul a Roman citizen and Jew who persecuted Christians became a Christian. Became Paul.
- founded church in Corinth
- New non Jewish believers didn’t have to follow Jewish rules
- Martyred
Who were members of early churches
Men and women
Accusations and rumours against Christians?
- Started Fire
- Ate baby flesh
- Promiscuous sex
Last decade of 1st century saw issues like what?
66CE- zealots slaughter several hundreds of Roman soldiers
70 CE-Rome conquers Jerusalem (temple destroyed)
73 CE-ROME DEFEATS Jews
The gospels
“good news” took shape before 100 CE written about Jesus’s life.
-Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Mark- Jesus as prophet with parables
John- Jesus is son of god
When was the expulsion of Jews from Rome
Claudius 50 CE causing a war
What did some believe about Jesus
-divine but a lesser god that was mortal
Trinity
3rd Century
Father son Holy Spirit
Gnostics
Refused to believe that true created could do anything with evil and suffering. Believed salvation was given to those who rised out of material world through knowledge
Marciana
A gnostic who refused to believe god of Old Testament was also the creator
How did churches help during persecution
- raised funds to buy freedom for members in jail
- fed the poor
Catacombs
End of 2nd century, churches gained permission to bury Christians in underground galleries (900 000)
Goths
Germanic people who moved towards Rome and established farms. They traded slaves, military recruits and sap for jewels
What did Diocletian do
Took office and reinforced better borders in 284 BCE
- tax system to take into account quality
- appointed co emperor who ruled west while he did east.
Tetarchy
Rule of 4, each emperor has assistant
What did Emperor Decius do towards Christians
Ordered persecution
CHRISTIANS EITHER MAKE OFFERING TO HIM OR DIE
The great persecution
Ended in 311 costing lives of 1/2 the Christians
Constantine
Convinced he won a war by having crosses on soldiers shields.
First christian emperor
